Process of making silk fiber sheet



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Patented June 7, 1932 UNITED STATES NAO KAWAGUCHI, OF MONTEBELLO, CALIFORNIA PROCESS OF MAKING SILK FIBER- SHEET N Drawing.-

This invention relates to a process of making silk fiber sheet, and has for its objects to produce a fiber sheet constructed of silk, and to produce a silk fiber sheet wherein the elas- .j l ticity and gloss of the silk is retained, and wherein a thick fiber sheet is produced having a smooth and even surface.

Other objects are to attain a fiber sheet of silk which may be used for making stamped 1O hats, artificial flowers, bags, gloves, and for many other purposes.

In carrying out my process, I take one pound of dried silk cocoons, and place in cold water and thereby soak it for a time. I then take out the cocoons from the water and put them into a coarse fabric bag, and then drain olf the water. I then take three gallons of clean cold water and heat it to the boiling point and continue the boiling thereof for a time. I next mix eight ounces of bicarbonate of sodium with the boiling water.

In the meantime, I take the wet cocoons leaving them in the bag, and tie up the opening in the bag so that the cocoons are retained therein without destroying their shape roughly, and dip the bag into said boiling water. I leave them in the boiling water for about two hours. I then take out the bag filled with cocoons, and turn out the cocoons from the bag into clean cold water and wash the co coons. I then take out the cocoons and squeeze them to remove all surplus water.

I then take at a time a small quantity of the cocoons and place them into clean cold water, and, picking them up one by one, tear the cocoon at the weak part of the surface and turn the cocoon inside out, and then take ofi all foreign materials.

If a fiat sheet is desired, I spread the fiber. It may be made any desired shape. Then while in work, I pile them one by one to make a suitable thickness, and then dry the sheet formed thereby in a suitable manner. I then take such silk sheet and stretch out the thick and uneven parts, and as nearly as possible make the sheet of an even thickness. I then apply a little quantity of tincture of benzoin to the sheet so that it will be a little moist all over. I then finally smooth the surface with a suitable brush.

Application filed September 9, 1931. Serial No 561,987.

and by employing the materials and ingredients as set forth, the resulting fiber will have increased elasticity and gloss, and will have a smooth even surface.

I claim:

1. The process of making silk fiber sheet, consisting of soaking a quantity of dried silk cocoons in cold water for a time, then in removing the cocoons from the water, placing them in a bag of cloth fabric and then draining off the water from the cocoons, then in boiling a quantity of water and mixing bicarbonate of sodium therewith, then in tying up the opening in the bag so that the cocoons are retained therein without destroying their shape, and then dipping the bag into the boiling water leaving the bag with cocoons therein in the boiling water for about two hours, then in removing the bag filled with cocoons and turning the cocoons into clean cold water and washing them, then in removing the cocoons and squeezing them to remove surplus water, then in picking the cocoons, one by one, and tearing them at the Weak part of the surface, turning the cocoon inside out and removing all foreign material, the-n piling them in a sheet of suitable thickness and making the sheet of even thickness, then in applying tincture of benzoin to the sheet to moisten it all over, and finally in smoothing the surface with a brush.

2. The process of making fiber sheet, consisting of soaking dried'silk cocoons in water for a time, then in removing them from the water and placing them in a cloth fabric bag, tying up the bag so that thecocoons are retained without destroying their shape, then in boiling the cocoon filled bag in a solution of water and bicarbonate of sodium for about two hours, then in removing the cocoons from the bag and washing them in cold Water, then in taking the cocoons, one by one, and tearing them and turning them inside out and removing all foreign material, then in piling them in a sheet of suitable thickness, then in applying tincture of benzoin to the sheet to moisten it all over, and finally in smoothing the surface of the sheet with a brush.

3. The process of making silk fiber sheet,

By conducting the process in this manner consisting of soaking dried silk cocoons in water for a time, then in removing them from the water and placing them in a cloth fabric bag, tying up the bag so that the cocoons are retained without destroying their shape, then in boiling the cocoon filled bag in a solution of water and bicarbonate of sodium for about two hours, then in washing them in cold Watcr, then in taking the cocoons, one by one, and tearing them and turning them inside out and removing all foreign material, then in piling them in a sheet of suitable thickness, and finally in smoothing the surface of the sheet With a brush. V

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature.

NAO KAWVAGUCHI. 

